In the weekly column for the a popular Tamil magazine, Kamal Haasan explained why his friendship with Rajinikanth is above misunderstanding. He wrote, “The friendship between me and Rajini is not something that could go south due to third person’s understanding.”
At the Sivaji Ganesan memorial in Chennai, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan were seen together on October 1. It was here that Rajinikanth, while speaking about Sivaji’s failed political career said that money and fame alone cannot lead to victory in politics. This statement was considered by many as an indirect jibe at Kamal Haasan who had announced that he would be entering politics. At a time when two huge superstars have announced their impending political entry, each of their statements is looked at through a magnifying glass.
Kamal continued in his column for Vikatan, “To people asking why this clarification couldn’t be made on a phone call to him, I would say, it is not for him. It is for people who do not understand.”
Kamal explained what Rajinikanth said at the memorial: “At the memorial, what was said was, ‘Sivaji sir has not just taught us lessons in cinema, but also in politics. He floated his own party, stood for an election and lost in his own constituency. To be victorious in politics, it is not enough for one to be famous, rich and influential. There has to be something more. People can identify this factor, I do not know what it is. I think Kamal Haasan knows this, but he will not reveal it to me. When I said, I am like your little brother in cinema, and asked him to tell me what this factor was, Kamal said that he would reveal it if I joined him.’”
{{/usCountry}}Kamal explained what Rajinikanth said at the memorial: “At the memorial, what was said was, ‘Sivaji sir has not just taught us lessons in cinema, but also in politics. He floated his own party, stood for an election and lost in his own constituency. To be victorious in politics, it is not enough for one to be famous, rich and influential. There has to be something more. People can identify this factor, I do not know what it is. I think Kamal Haasan knows this, but he will not reveal it to me. When I said, I am like your little brother in cinema, and asked him to tell me what this factor was, Kamal said that he would reveal it if I joined him.’”
{{/usCountry}}This means that Kamal is open to collaborating with Rajini, but not in coalition with any existing parties. He also wrote that he has a few questions to ask Rajini. He asked, “What is victory in politics exactly? Is to float an individual party, win the upcoming elections with members in maximum places, to go on to become a chief minister, prime minister? If it is that, shouldn’t the victory symbolise growth for people at large without the people losing their self respect by begging for the said growth?
He explained that people who are remembered in politics are - “Gandhi, who hasn’t competed in elections and our elder,Periyar.” He also added, “BR Ambedkar’s first election was not a failure, but the beginning of a history about to be made.”